AUSTRALIAN tennis legend John Newcombe believes Andy Murray could have his best ever chance next year of ending Britain's then 74-year wait for a men's singles title at Wimbledon, writes Ahmer Khokhar.
After witnessing the British No1's disappointing semi-final defeat in four sets to Andy Roddick on Centre Court last Friday, three-time Wimbledon champion Newcombe claimed Murray is a more improved and attractive player than Roger Federer.
"I love
watching Andy because technically he's improved out of sight," Newcombe said. "He has become a supreme tactician as he proved to reach the last four of Wimbledon.
"Andy's probably even better to watch than Roger Federer because of the variety he's got in his game. He's also got the ability to play well on every surface and I've been impressed with his preparation this year.
"He was a worthy favourite to win the Australian Open (in January], and even though he lost in the fourth round, he bounced back to surprise a few people when he reached the quarter-finals of the French Open (in May], and last week he made the Wimbledon semi-finals.
"He has improved all facets of his game in the past 12 months and not many players have beaten Roger Federer four times in a row.
"The big positive for Andy is that he is only going to get better. I like his body language and his ability to get in the faces of Federer and Rafael Nadal.
"Andy also got to the US Open final last year so if he keeps improving he should win a Grand Slam title this year or next year."
But Newcombe warned the British public to avoid unrealistic expectations of the world's current No3 ranked player.
"The British have a habit of expecting too much too soon and it's pointless comparing players of different eras," Newcombe said.
"Andy is still learning and like all champions he will learn to brush off the little seeds of doubt which crop up in his mind."
Former world No1 Mats Wilander, however, remains sceptical of Murray's Grand Slam title credentials.
"For me Murray has still got a lot to learn," Wilander said. "Winning Wimbledon or the US Open is going to be hard enough if Federer or Nadal are both at their best."
• After crashing out of Wimbledon in the semi-finals Andy Murray's odds of winning Sports Personality of the Year tumbled to 7-1, according to William Hill. But Murray, 22, is still second favourite behind Formula 1 championship leader Jenson Button.
Murray had been 9-4 to win the BBC award, currently held by another Scot, Edinburgh's Sir Chris Hoy, before he was beaten by Roddick.
Button, who has a 23-point lead at the head of the drivers' championship, is 1-2 favourite to win, although England cricketers will be hoping to be in with a chance, because that will have meant a successful Ashes series.
